Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Some Fun Food (and drink) for the Holidays/Winter!

 Happy midweek to all.  It is a warmer morning here.  The house was 73* this morning when I got up - all from the heat it accumulated yesterday.  Yesterday set big records here.  It was the warmest for that date in 74 years!  The house warmed up - but with the windows open it was comfortable.  It was extremely windy yesterday!  Today is supposed to be warmer as well.

Isn't that pretty?  I would love to take a walk down that track.  You can almost smell the leaves and nature.

I like fun food, especially at the holidays.  Things that maybe we wouldn't have or do at other times!  I like eating and drinking them and I like gifting them.
This sounds very refreshing and holiday like!  I think this would be great for a holiday brunch.  I do believe even the kiddos would love it.
I think if one wanted to be 'festive' a shot of rum or vodka per glass might be good as well!!  
Hmmmm - even something like a Malibu rum!

FLAVORED BUTTER!  Have you ever made flavored butter for the holidays or special dinners?
You can add anything you want to softened butter.  Soften the butter, add the ingredients desired and knead it in.  The form a roll and wrap in wax paper or parchment paper to store.
You can add bacon bits, cheese, garlic or onion powder or dehydrated, any herbs - like rosemary, thyme, basil, etc.  It is great on warm bread or rolls or just for spreading on crackers with a bowl of chili or stew!  Buy your butter when advertised on specials during the holiday months.  I have already been seeing it for 2.50 and less per pound.  You could also make your own butter pretty easily with heavy cream.
Have fun with it.  It is so tasty.

APPLE BUTTER
Click on recipe to enlarge.
I am doing this for part of the gift baskets this year!  So easy - put in the crockpot and let it do the work.  I will be canning in 1/2 pint jars and processing to make it shelf stable.
I think this will be a fun addition.
I may play with adjusting the sugar a bit (using less), we will see.

Just a couple fun things to maybe add to the menu this year.  I think it is fun to try new things.
ENJOY!!

Have a super day - enjoy these last days of October.





10 comments:

  1. Yum on all of these recipes. The butter could have so many additions, I'm thinking a dill butter and a bacon butter would be good. My mind has been churning with ideas this morning. :)

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    1. There are no limits to add ins except our imagination! I love flavored butters - and they are expensive to buy.
      Dill sounds yummy!

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  2. My mom used to make the punch at Christmas time and I've done it too (in a much smaller batch). We use a crockpot for it, and omit the pineapple juice. Put it on low in the crockpot, add a couple of cinnamon sticks, some orange slices and it's absolutely delicious and the aroma makes the whole house smell Christmas'y.

    I've never made flavoured butter, but have had it elsewhere. Yum! My daughter uses butter a lot, rather than margarine. Prices, on sale, would be $5.99 a pound. You are getting a steal of deal at $2.50.

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    1. Mmmm that sounds cook on the punch. Never thought about it warm. Very holiday-ish!
      Butter goes cheap around the holidays here - usually store brand - but heck. It sure tastes good with additives.

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  3. Would it be wonderful to walk down that railroad track? Just beautiful!

    Another warm day and I am glad it is. Too soon we will have storm windows in place, and the house sealed up tight as a drum, with the furnace running. Erin has one kitty who loves to lay on the register.

    The flavored butters look delicious! Nothing like good butter. My mom and the Farmer's mom used to make butter. I'm sure some of the homesteading moms still make it.

    Enjoy this beautiful day!

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    1. Yes mam - that would be a lovely walk indeed.
      Mine so love the open windows - not sure what will happen when that can't be.
      I have made butter before - it is really easy. All the flavorings sure would make for good eating.

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  4. Just this morning while I was driving I was thinking about what gift I wanted to give the neighbors. I'm making jam and I thought maybe flavored butter too! I've never made it.

    As I've been cooking and baking I've been thinking about how I can possibly turn some things I regularly make into gifts. Last night I made my husband some salad dressing. The recipe calls for making up a spice mix and then measuring out about 2 T into the oil & vinegar. I realized I could gift my daughters the spice mix! It made so much mix I can just portion it out into small containers festively decorated and I have a gift done! I'll probably do the same when I next make a quick bread‐ I'll measure out the dry ingredients for myself and then for a baggie to gift someone. So easy!

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    1. Love that idea. Give them the seasoning and directions how to make - perfect. How fun.
      The quick breads would be super too. Just about any baking mix could be done in a jar or baggy and then tell what they add and how to bake.
      I want to be on your list!

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  5. That punch sounds *so good* - either hot or cold. :)

    MaryB

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    1. Yes mam. I didn't even think hot until that was mentioned. Nice and fruity and really pretty healthy!

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